Entry-Level Actuary Salary in Lacey, WA: $89,681 (2026)
Quick Answer:New actuaries entering the Lacey, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $89,681 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lacey's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,502 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($141,477) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the actuarial field in Lacey, Washington, new grads can expect a starting actuary salary around $89,681 in 2026. Compared to the city median of $141,477, this initial income reflects a significant entry point, highlighting the journey ahead for emerging actuaries in the region. With a 3.20% annual growth rate expected over the next several years, aspiring actuaries can anticipate their compensation rising from the entry-level position to the 25th percentile at around $108,484 and potentially reaching the median salary as they gain experience. Overall, Lacey presents a favorable market for new graduates, offering competitive salaries that exceed the national entry-level averages by approximately 5.45%.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lacey
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lacey
Entry-level actuarys in Lacey, WA typically start between $89,681 and $108,484 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $129,609 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $141,477 — 5.45% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average actuarial science program cost in Washington of $60,000 represents just 66.90% of the starting actuary pay ($89,681/year) in Lacey. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition at public and private universities, plus estimated actuarial exam fees and study materials. Employers often cover exam costs once employed.
ASA, FSA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Lacey
- 1Research the Lacey market: entry-level actuary pay ranges from $89,681 to $108,484, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the actuarial science field — employers in WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lacey, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Lacey for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lacey's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Actuary Compensation Range
The actuary wage spread in Lacey is $129,609 ( 144.52%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $89,681, experienced hygienists can earn up to $219,290.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,736
2025 BLS Actual
$86,900
2026 Current Est.
$89,681
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Actuaries in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,736 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,031 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,967 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,368 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,372 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,381 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,681 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,551 | Projected |
Entry-level actuary compensation (10th percentile) in Lacey, WA grew 21.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $71,736 in 2019 to $86,900 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $92,551. New graduates entering the Lacey job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lacey metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your actuarial science Career in Lacey
Several organizations in Lacey actively seek new actuarial talent, particularly major insurers such as Prudential, MetLife, and Northwestern Mutual, which have established relationships with universities to recruit entry-level candidates. These companies often provide structured exam preparation time, facilitating progress toward the ASA designation, crucial for salary advancement. Entry-level positions may also be available with health insurers and consulting firms like Milliman and Aon, which typically offer higher starting salaries for ASA-credentialed analysts. A strong educational background in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science will serve as a solid foundation for aspiring actuaries, especially when complemented by passing initial actuarial exams. With each exam successfully completed, individuals can see an increase in their base pay, ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 per exam. As continuing education remains crucial in this field, dedication to obtaining higher credentials like the FSA can significantly impact long-term earning potential, particularly within the valuably competitive consulting sector in Lacey, WA.
More salary data for Lacey, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in life insurance. She specializes in risk assessment and pricing strategies.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new actuarial science graduates. A 3.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Lacey. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lacey is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for actuarys (SOC 15-2011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, FSA, MAAA, a licensed actuary with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov